Xicor, Inc. Announces ISO 9001 and QS-9000 Certification; Company is Certified ISO 9001 and QS-9000 Compliant by Underwriters Laboratories Inc

Business Wire, May 13, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002

Xicor, Inc. (Nasdaq:XICO), a leading supplier of programmable mixed-signal integrated circuits, is pleased to announce that it has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. as being fully compliant with the requirements for both ISO 9001 and QS-9000.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of 111 national standards bodies. The organization's primary objective is to promote the development of manufacturing, trade and communication among business organizations worldwide through the development of generic standards, which are comprised of internationally recognized quality management system requirements. The most widely recognized of these international standards is the ISO 9000 series, released in 1987, which has become an international reference for quality requirements and management. Registration provides objective proof that an organization has implemented an effective quality system, and that it is satisfying all requirements of the applicable standard. ISO 9001, which covers design, manufacturing, installation and servicing systems, represents the most comprehensive standard in the ISO 9000 series.

Quality System Requirements QS-9000 is the common supplier quality standard developed in 1994 by DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and major truck manufacturers. The QS-9000 requirements have been combined into one overall system, replacing the individual quality requirements formerly used by each of the Big Three automakers. Based upon an extension of the widely accepted international ISO 9001 standards, the QS-9000's additional criteria reflect the auto industry's specialized requirements.

Xicor products are standard solutions of choice in many mainstream, high volume electronic systems throughout the world. "ISO certification has become the international benchmark for quality standards," said Xicor Senior Vice President, Operations, R. Todd Smathers. "It is an important credential for companies conducting business on a worldwide basis.

"We are pleased that the hard work and dedication of our employees have been recognized with the achievement of the high standards set by these prestigious awards. This certification serves as yet another example of the company's strong commitment to the highest quality products and outstanding customer satisfaction."

About Xicor

Xicor designs, develops and markets a wide variety of programmable mixed-signal integrated circuits and nonvolatile memory products used in networking, computing, communication and industrial applications. The Company's products include digitally controlled potentiometers and system management ICs that allow system designers to digitally control analog functions in signal processing, microprocessor monitoring and power management.

Xicor product, corporate and financial information is readily available on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com.